Lounge Access in domestic Associated lounges

[JohnK]

Didn't think about this before but my BME-DRW flight next week is on Air North (TL). The flight is on a QF award but ticketed as TL309.

It appears the lounge in BME is not a QF lounge but rather a Qantaslink lounge. I guess it means, as I am not on a QF flight number, that I will not have lounge access in BME that day.

 

[Mal]

Interesting question.

I believe technically you have no access (and that's regardless of whether the lounge is a QF one or a Qantaslink one as you are not flying on Qantas/Qantaslink that day).

If you ask nicely though, it is possible they will let you into the lounge. While I havn't been to Broome airport, I assume it would be similar to the smaller Queensland Qantaslink lounges where there is no lounge "dragon" but instead you chat to a Qantas staffer and they open the door - Or you just walk in!

You could always phrase it something like "Hi, I'm currently on a Qantas FF award ticket, and I'm flying this sector on Air North because there was no Qantas flight availability. Do you know if I'm eligible for access to the lounge due to it being a Qantas award ticket"?

Those sorts of questions can sometimes work wonders. What's the worst that can happen?

 

[JohnK]

You could always phrase it something like "Hi, I'm currently on a Qantas FF award ticket, and I'm flying this sector on Air North because there was no Qantas flight availability. Do you know if I'm eligible for access to the lounge due to it being a Qantas award ticket"?

That sounds like a good idea. You don't mind if I use your exact quote?

Those sorts of questions can sometimes work wonders. What's the worst that can happen?

No lounge access for an 1 hour or so! No big deal.

 

[serfty]

Been to BME, but before there was a 'lounge'. I sent my 25yo daughter and son-in-law on those 11,000km J trips in November 2001 (booked 2000); joining her up to QP for the trip.

She reports that is was a room with a few lounge chars and a bar fridge with a few coldies, white wine, bubbles (small bottles) and some soft drink. There were also some small 50cc bottles of spirits.

 

[Flashback]

Unfortunately BME is nothing like that now. I've been there 3 times in the past few months, and only once was there any alcohol at all (3 cans of Emu Bitter, ugh!). Very very small room, seating for maybe 15 people - and a small TV mounted up on the wall. YMMV..

 

[dajop]

At BME, IMHO it is vastly preferable to sit in the outdoor (undercover) terminal area and soak up the atmosphere. Nothing that special about the small room that is the Qantas Link Lounge. It has a balcony, which according to the signs, once upon a time could be opened to sit on, but now due to security paranoia is no longer an option. On my last visit there (Aug 06) I cannot remember seeing very much in the way of alcohol either - the bar outside had better (albeit at a cost) options, which is where I waited for the flight instead.

 

[JohnK]

At BME, IMHO it is vastly preferable to sit in the outdoor (undercover) terminal area and soak up the atmosphere. Nothing that special about the small room that is the Qantas Link Lounge.

I missed the advice posted about BME lounge on FT until it was too late.

I asked at checkin if I could have access to the lounge and was told no problem but it was only a Kimberley lounge and not to expect a QP. When I walked into the terminal I decided that I would not bother trying to find the lounge so purchased a couple of Crown Lagers at $6.50 each and soaked up the atmosphere of the terminal instead.

 

[Flashback]

FYI in future, turn left once you go through security and walk up the stairs. There is no 'lounge dragon' there at all, either.

 

[JohnK]

FYI in future, turn left once you go through security and walk up the stairs. There is no 'lounge dragon' there at all, either.

Yes thanks. Not sure if I will ever go back to BME, unless I am doing another round Australia trip.